ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGMarch 5, 2022For the last few days, I have been putting down some thoughts in regard to how and where faith and politics dance together and occasionally squabble. I was not intending to convert anyone to any specific opinion on this topic. The last few days have had more to do with the discomfort often felt by those who claim to follow Jesus. The discomfort appears in
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGMarch 4, 2022One more thought on politics and religion: Do we allow our faith to engage the conversations around politics or are we to never allow the two spheres to meet? Are there times when we must bring the full prophetic smackdown into the debate? Are there times to keep our mouths shut? It’s interesting how religion, at numerous points in history, has used the legal or
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGMarch 3, 2022I’m probably going to find myself knee deep in someone’s politics with today’s Etching, but as I said yesterday, I’m still a little fuzzy on where politics begin and end, and where exactly my faithfulness to the way of Jesus needs to be quiet. Cypress Creek Christian Church has a history of stepping into an arena where some might say, “You’re getting political,” yet those
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGMarch 2, 2022In yesterday’s Etching I spoke more theoretically about the challenge associated with faith and politics, and the wonkiness that comes with determining what is politics, what is partisanship and what is faithfully following Jesus. Today, I want us to think about how a follower of Jesus responds to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Let’s be clear, there is not a perfect response plan presented in scripture.
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGMarch 1, 2022I often find it humorous when I am accused of being political as a pastor. I can’t be 100% sure, but I think it has always been when my message went against the politics of the one who was accusing me of being political. Maybe someone has thought, “I totally agree with Bruce, but I felt like he got too political.” Of course, Jesus would
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGFebruary 28, 2022Prayer for the WeekThe Season of Lent is on the horizon, a season of honest self inquiry, confession, repentance and the hard work of reconciliation. What would it mean for world leaders to quiet themselves, discern values other than power and egoism, and reverse their inhumane practices? What would it mean for those around the globe who feel like pawns in a chess game played
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGFebruary 27, 2022Today, I am preaching on Exodus 3, the story of Moses encountering God in the Burning Bush. When it comes to the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament), it is one of my favorite stories. In the previous couple of chapters, Moses has experienced some rough times, including being run out of Egypt by his adopted family. Moses later described himself as an alien, living in a
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGFebruary 26, 2022In the last year or so, I have really found myself in a healthier place when it comes to watching or reading the news. First, my watching had dropped by 80%. Second, I am very focused on broad, less commentary based news – lengthy news stories where it feels as if I actually learned something. That’s all to say that in the last four days
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGFebruary 25, 2022In Proverbs 15:17, it says: “Better is a dinner of vegetables where love is than a fatted ox and hatred with it.” Vegetarians respond to this scripture by saying, “Well, duh!” I am a vegetarian wannabe, but I am pretty sure this was not an early commercial for the Jerusalem Chapter of Vegans United. As I reflect on this piece of proverbial wisdom, there are
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGFebruary 24, 2022I was in a meeting yesterday with Rev. Mariah Newell, and she used a phrase that I had heard others use. In fact, I have probably used it at one time or another, yet it was as if I was hearing it for the first time. She said, “You are infinitely loved.” She was suggesting someone at Cypress Creek Christian Church might share those words